With “Barbie” mania in full gear and the much anticipated movie premiering this month, it’s no surprise that HGTV has rolled out its own home makeover show to get in on the fun.
On “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge,” eight teams of HGTV superstars transform a plain, 4,500-square-foot Southern California home into an epic, life-size Barbie fantasy oasis.
Each week, two teams go up against each other, while model and influencer Ashley Grahamhosts and a number of noteworthy judges pick the best renovations and most Barbie-esque of all.
In the premiere episode, “Barbie’s First Floor Face-Off,” Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson work on the dining and living rooms, while Jasmine Roth and the Food Network’s Antonia Lofaso team up to do the kitchen and family room.
And while not many of us may want to live in a life-size Barbie house, these designers’ genius renovations can be applied in a variety of ways that could look fabulous in any home. Check out what we learned this week, which might inspire you to add a little bit of “Barbiecore” to your own abode.
Use high-lacquer paint for a glossy sheen
This hot pink Barbie staircase raises eyebrows. (HGTV)
Sherrod and Jackson want their staircase to look like something right out of a toy store.
“The staircase for us, that’s going to be our money,” says Sherrod. “We were thinking, let’s go with the classic Barbie pink. Maybe if we use a high-lacquer pink, it has the effect of plastic.”
And she’s right: She scores major points with the judges for making the staircase look totally Barbie-esque.
While many of us might not pine for a plastic staircase, that high-lacquer look could come in handy in other furnishings where you’re keen for a glossy sheen, from an old credenza to a bathroom wall.
Add ‘toyetic’ touches
Barbie would go gaga over this purple, phone booth–shaped elevator. (HGTV)
What is “toyetic,” you may ask? For this competition, toyetics are fun, toylike features that often serve a dual purpose, and every room must have one, according to the rules.
Now, toyetics in every room of your own house may be whimsical, but they also may be a little overkill. But you can’t help but love a lot of the toyetic features these designers devise.
Roth and Lofaso design shelves that swing open to reveal a secret pantry, kitchen island countertops that pop up to reveal a toaster and a milkshake blender, and sofa arms that swing up and provide TV trays.
Sherrod and Jackson put in a purple elevator that looks like a phone booth, which can be used to elevate shopping bags, pets, or other heavy items to the second floor.
The Memphis design style is back
Memphis-style design is back. (HGTV)
The Memphis design style that emerged during the ’90s blends art deco with pop art and is characterized by bright colors, geometric shapes, strong patterns, stripes, clashing hues, and abstract designs.
Sherrod and Jackson decide to use wallpaper with the popular ’90s design style in their entry and more Memphis shapes and patterns on their fireplace.
The only criticism the judges had? They wanted more!
Custom-print your fabric
The custom-printed fabric on the curtains and couch in this Barbie family room are just what Jasmine Roth ordered. (HGTV)
Can’t find the exact right color or fabric for your sofa or curtains? You, too, can have it printed, just like Roth does.
The cardboard couch in the original Barbie Dreamhouse she’s using for inspiration features colorful plaid upholstery that Roth can’t find anywhere, so she goes to a fabric fabricator, designs it on the computer, and prints it in no time.
There may be a custom-print fabric shop in your area that can make a computer design of exactly what you want, and print it out.
Transform your cabinets with vinyl wraps
Just in case Barbie gets tired of pink cabinets (heaven forbid), she can easily change the color of the vinyl wrap. (HGTV)
Who knew they made vinyl wraps for cabinets that work like car wrap?
Roth did.
“Being able to use vinyl to wrap all the cabinets will transform what is otherwise an all-white kitchen into this beautiful Barbie kitchen in one day,” says Roth. Her selected color is (you guessed it) pink.
And the best news about using it in your own home is that you can easily transform your cabinet color every few years.
And the winner is…
Judges are Maureen McGovern, who actually starred in three Barbie commercials when she was a child; designer Jonathan Adler, a great fan of Barbie who has created several Barbie-inspired collections; and HGTV power designer Tiffany Brooks, who has an impressive Barbie collection of her own.
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Source: https://www.realtor.com/advice/reality-tv/barbie-dream-house-challenge-premiere-episode-recap/?utm_campaign=Homeward%20Bound&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=267226744&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_4xmfQnC24sF5YHDcsoXlCtxTZfeKbVLA6-WUsqBM1lwnrtfWpJ_om_zWgV2i4dijWa73S4Abi_qgNt1MjeQ1N3zY_hg&utm_content=267226744&utm_source=hs_email